Punjab Closes Schools for a Week in Response to Lahore’s Smog Crisis

The Punjab government has declared a week-long closure of primary schools in Lahore due to severe smog conditions, effective from November 4 to November 9.

This decision was announced on Sunday by Senior Provincial Minister Maryam Aurangzeb during a press conference in Lahore, highlighting the urgent need to protect children from hazardous air quality.

“We cannot stop or redirect the Indian air, and the only solution is dialogue,” she said, urging cooperation to tackle the environmental crisis.

The government is advising parents to ensure their children wear masks and stay indoors as much as possible. Additionally, the provincial government has recommended that 50% of the workforce work from home to minimize exposure to polluted air.

She also highlighted measures being taken to mitigate the effects of the smog, including a ban on certain vehicles within a one-kilometre radius of green zones.

Maryam Aurangzeb stated that the technology for artificial rain, initially obtained from the UAE, is now available locally, and plans for its implementation will move forward when conditions are favourable.

Lahore’s air pollution has reached alarming levels, with PM2.5 pollutants peaking at 610, significantly exceeding the World Health Organization’s recommended limits. The city’s air quality index (AQI) surged to 1,067, categorizing it as ‘dangerous’ and placing Lahore among the most polluted cities globally.